Sermorelin for injection is available in multidose vials containing sufficient product for 15 days of therapy. Each vial contains from 3 to 7.5 milligrams of Sermorlin as a sterile, lyophilized powder. Sufficient diluent (3 ml sterile, isotonic saline) is provided so that each 0.2 milliliter of the reconstituted solution contains daily doses ranging from 200 to 500 micrograms Sermorelin. Recommended doses include the following:
3 mg MDV: 200 ug/day for men with BMI from 18.5 – 24.9
4.5 mg MDV: 300 ug/day for men with BMI between 25 and 29.9
6 mg MDV: 400 ug/day for women or for men with BMI between 25 and 29.9
7.5 mg MDV: 500ug/day for women or for men with BMI between 25 and 29.9
These recommended dosages are based upon the results of clinical testing in men of normal weight in whom 200ug/day increased pituitary reserve of hGH (as indicated by enhanced responses to provocative testing) and increased IGF-1. A sample set of the latter data are provided in the following table. IGF-1 increased in men ranging in age from 50 to 66 years after 30 consecutive days sc administration of 200 ug Sermorelin.
Since estrogen and adiposity negatively effect growth hormone action on the liver to produce IGF-1, higher doses of Sermorelin are recommended for women and men with high BMIs.
Clinical Pharmacology
Sermorelin acetate is the acetate salt of an amidated synthetic 29-amino acid peptide (GRF 1-29 NH 2 ) that corresponds to the amino-terminal segment of the naturally occurring human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH or GRF) consisting of 44 amino acid residues. The structural formula for sermorelin acetate is:
The free base of sermorelin has the empirical formula C 149 H 246 N 44 O 42 S and a molecular weight of 3,358 daltons.
Sermorelin is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, lyophilized powder intended for subcutaneous injection after reconstitution with Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. The reconstituted solution has a pH of 5.0 to 5.5.
Sermorelin is available in vials. The quantitative composition per vial is:
0.5 mg vial: Each vial contains 0.5 mg sermorelin (as the acetate) and 5 mg mannitol. The pH is adjusted with dibasic sodium phosphate and monobasic sodium phosphate buffer. 3.0 mg vial: Each vial contains 3.0 mg sermorelin (as the acetate) and 5 mg mannitol. The pH is adjusted with dibasic sodium phosphate and monobasic sodium phosphate buffer.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Sermorelin acetate for injection increases plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration by stimulating the pituitary gland to release GH. Sermorelin is similar to the native hormone (GRF [1-44]-NH 2 ) in its ability to stimulate GH secretion in humans. Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
In subcutaneous administration of 2 mg sermorelin to 12 normal volunteers, peak concentrations of sermorelin were reached in 5-20 minutes. The mean absolute bioavailability after SC administration is about 6%.
Distribution After intravenous administration of 0.25-1.0 mg Sermorelin® to 12 normal volunteers, the mean volume of distribution ranged between 23.7-25.8 liters.
Metabolism No metabolism studies have been performed in humans.
Elimination Sermorelin is rapidly cleared from the circulation, with clearance values in adults ranging between 2.4-2.8 L/min. The halflife of Sermorelin is short, 11-12 minutes after either intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
Special Populations Gender/Age: No gender data are available in pediatric patients. In normal adults, the clearance of sermorelin in men and women is similar. No age data are available. Renal/Hepatic Insufficiency: No data are available.
CLINICAL STUDIES Click on Clinical research reports INDICATIONS AND USAGE Sermorelin is approved for diagnostic evaluation of pituitary function and also for increasing growth in children. Off label usage may include acute or age-related growth hormone insufficiency
CONTRAINDICATIONS Sermorelin should not be used by patients with a known sensitivity to sermorelin or any of the excipients.
PRECAUTIONS General: Sermorelin acetate therapy should be carried out under the regular guidance of a physician who is experienced in the diagnosis and management of growth hormone deficiencies.
In clinical studies, the incidence of hypothyroidism during Sermorelin therapy was 6.5%. In the largest clinical study, 8 of 110 enrolled patients were on thyroid replacement therapy prior to Sermorelin therapy and an additional 5 after initiating therapy. Untreated hypothyroidism can jeopardize the response to Sermorelin . Therefore, thyroid hormone determinations should be performed before the initiation and throughout the duration of Sermorelin therapy. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy should be initiated when indicated.
Patients with growth hormone deficiency secondary to an intracranial lesion were not studied in clinical trials. It is not recommended that such patients be treated with Sermorelin .
As with the administration of any peptide, local or systemic allergic reactions may occur. P atients should be informed that such reactions are possible and that prompt medical attention should be sought if allergic reactions occur.
Laboratory Tests: Serum levels of inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, GH and IGF-1 may increase with Sermorelin therapy.
Drug Interaction: Concomitant glucocorticoid therapy may inhibit the response to Sermorelin .
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Long-term animal studies for carcinogenicity and impairment of fertility have not been performed with Sermorelin . There has been no evidence from studies to date of Sermorelin -induced genetic toxicity.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. During teratology studies Sermorelin produced minor variations in fetuses of rats and rabbits when given at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day. This dose is approximately 3 and 6 times the daily human dose calculated on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis, for rats and rabbits, respectively. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Sermorelin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Women: It is not known whether Sermorelin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, cautions should be exercised when Sermorelin is administered to a nursing women.
Information For Patients: Patients being treated with Sermorelin and/or their parents should be informed of the potential benefits and risks associated with treatment. If home use is determined to be desirable by the physician, instructions on appropriate use should be given, including a review of the contents of the Patient Information Insert. This information is intended to aid in the safe and effective administration of the medication. It is not a disclosure of all possible adverse or intended effects.
If home use is prescribed, a puncture resistant container for the disposal of used syringes and needles should be recommended to the patient. Patients and/or parents should be thoroughly instructed in the importance of proper disposal and cautioned against any reuse of needles and syringes (see Patient Information Insert).
ADVERSE REACTIONS A large proportion of patients develop anti-GRF antibodies at least once during treatment with Sermorelin. The significance of these antibodies is not clear and often a positive test at one growth assessment will become negative by the next assessment. The presence of antibodies does not appear to affect growth or appear to be related to a specific adverse reaction profile. No generalized allergic reactions to Sermorelin have been reported.
The most common treatment-related adverse event (occurring in about 1 patient in 6) is local injection reaction characterized by pain, swelling or redness. Of 350 patients exposed to Sermorelin in clinical trials, three discontinued therapy due to injection reactions. Other treatment-related adverse events had individual occurrence rates of less than 1% and include: headache, flushing, dysphagia, dizziness, hyperactivity, somnolence and urticaria.
When administered intravenously for diagnostic use, the following adverse reactions have been noted: flushing of the face, injection site pain, redness and/or swelling, nausea, headache, vomiting, dysgeusia, pallor and tightness in the chest.
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE The clinical pharmacology suggests that Sermorelin is very unlikely to be associated with drug abuse or dependence and there have been no reports of this from clinical trials.
OVERDOSAGE The recommended dosage of Sermorelin (sermorelin acetate for injection) should not be exceeded.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION A dosage of 0.2 - 0.3 mcg once daily at bedtime by subcutaneous injection is recommended. It is also recommended that subcutaneous injection sites be periodically rotated.
To prevent possible contamination, wipe the rubber vial stopper with an antiseptic solution before puncturing it with the needle. It is recommended that Sermorelin be administered using sterile, disposable syringes and needles. The syringes should be of small enough volume that the prescribed dose can be drawn from the vial with reasonable accuracy.
To reconstitute Sermorelin , inject the diluent into the vial of Sermorelin aiming the liquid against the glass vial wall. Swirl the vial with a GENTLE rotary motion until contents are dissolved completely. Do not administer Sermorelin if particles are visible in the reconstituted solution or if the reconstituted solution is cloudy.
HOW SUPPLIED Vials of Sermorelin (sermorelin acetate for injection) should be stored refrigerated (2°-8°C/36°-46°F). Expiration dates are stated on the labels.
Sermorelin acetate is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, lyophilized powder supplied in packages containing:
1 vial 0.5 mg Sermorelin and 1 vial 2 mL Sodium Chloride Injection, USP NDC xxxxxxxxxxxx
1 vial 3.0 mg Sermorelin and 1 vial 2 mL Sodium Chloride Injection, USP NDC xxxxxxxxxxxx
